The best islands in North America to visit, in our pick, are Newfoundland, the Island of Hawaii, Prince Edward Island, Oahu, Miami Beach, Amelia Island, Santa Catalina, Martha's Vineyard, the Magdalen Islands, Puerto Rico, Manitoulin Island, Kiawah Island, Key Largo, Vancouver Island and Cozumel. You get icebergs and fjords in Canada, volcanoes and surf in Hawaii, Caribbean beaches in Puerto Rico and Mexico, and easy weekend escapes off the US coast. For each island below you'll find why to go, the best time to visit and one practical tip from an official source. At the end: which island suits you and how to stay online while you're there.
Islands in North America: the list at a glance
- Newfoundland, Canada: fjords, icebergs and a Viking site.
- Island of Hawaii, USA: active volcanoes and dark night skies.
- Prince Edward Island, Canada: red sand beaches and lobster.
- Oahu, Hawaii, USA: Waikiki, Diamond Head and North Shore surf.
- Miami Beach, Florida, USA: Art Deco streets and a long city beach.
- Amelia Island, Florida, USA: a Victorian town and quiet beaches.
- Santa Catalina Island, California, USA: kelp forests an hour from Los Angeles.
- Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA: New England harbors and clay cliffs.
- Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada: red cliffs, dunes and Acadian culture.
- Puerto Rico: Old San Juan, a rainforest and Caribbean beaches.
- Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada: the world's largest freshwater island.
- Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA: golf, bike paths and marshland.
- Key Largo, Florida, USA: coral reefs and snorkeling.
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: rainforest, surf and whales.
- Cozumel, Mexico: clear water and reef diving.
What counts as North America? Geographically, the continent covers Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean islands. This list sticks to islands in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Hawaii sits far out in the Pacific, but as a US state it's usually counted with North America for travel. Looking further south? See the best islands to visit in South America.
15 best islands to visit in North America
1. Newfoundland, Canada
Newfoundland is the island part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can take a boat on Western Brook Pond, a landlocked fjord carved by glaciers. Up north, L'Anse aux Meadows preserves a Norse encampment, the first known evidence of Europeans in the Americas. Along the coast you can watch for icebergs, whales and puffins, and St. John's has colorful houses and a lively harbor.
- Best time: late May to June for icebergs, summer for whales, puffins and hiking.
- Tip: L'Anse aux Meadows is seasonal. In 2026 it opened from June 1 to October 2, so check the dates on the Parks Canada site before you drive up the Viking Trail.
2. Island of Hawaii, USA
The Island of Hawaii, often called the Big Island, is the largest island in Hawaii. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you can walk around Kilauea's crater and, when the volcano is erupting, see the glow of lava from viewpoints. Add black sand beaches, waterfalls on the Hamakua coast and snorkeling on the Kona side. At night, Mauna Kea, home to major observatories, is a well-known stargazing spot.
- Best time: all year. Lava activity comes and goes, so it doesn't depend on the season.
- Tip: check the park's volcano updates page for eruption news, webcams and air quality before you go. If you plan to drive to the Mauna Kea summit, the Maunakea visitor page says the summit road is 4x4 only.
3. Prince Edward Island, Canada
Prince Edward Island, or PEI, is known for red sand beaches, rolling farmland and fresh seafood like lobster and PEI mussels. Cycle part of the Confederation Trail, kayak in quiet bays or visit Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish, the setting that inspired L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables.
- Best time: June to September for beaches and festivals.
- Tip: you drive onto the island for free. The Confederation Bridge toll is only collected when you leave PEI, at Borden-Carleton (Confederation Bridge).
4. Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Oahu mixes city life and nature. Honolulu has Waikiki Beach, Iolani Palace and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Hike up the Diamond Head crater for views over the city, snorkel at Hanauma Bay or watch big waves on the North Shore in winter.
- Best time: all year. Winter brings the biggest surf on the North Shore.
- Tip: Hanauma Bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you don't live in Hawaii, book ahead: admission-only reservations open two days before your visit at 7am Hawaii time (City and County of Honolulu).
5. Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Miami Beach is a city on a barrier island across the bay from Miami. Walk the Art Deco Historic District around Ocean Drive, spend a day on South Beach and stay for dinner and nightlife. In December, the city hosts the Art Basel Miami Beach art fair.
- Best time: December to April, when it's warm and drier.
- Tip: the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and peaks from mid-August to mid-October (National Hurricane Center). If you travel then, book flexible rates and keep an eye on the forecast. This applies to every Florida, South Carolina and Caribbean island on this list.
6. Amelia Island, Florida, USA
Amelia Island sits in the far northeast of Florida, near the Georgia border. Its town, Fernandina Beach, has a historic downtown with Victorian buildings, shops and seafood restaurants. Outside town you get wide, quiet beaches, golf, kayaking in the marshes and the 19th-century Fort Clinch.
- Best time: March to May and October to November, when it's warm but not too hot.
- Tip: you can ride a horse along the beach here. Rides start at Peters Point Beach Front Park and are for small groups, so book ahead (Amelia Island tourism site).
7. Santa Catalina Island, California, USA
Santa Catalina Island lies about 22 miles off the Southern California coast. Snorkel or dive in kelp forests, kayak along the coves, hike the hills and spend the evening in Avalon, the island's small harbor town with the Catalina Island Museum.
- Best time: June to October for warm water, spring for green hills.
- Tip: the Catalina Express ferry leaves from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point and takes about an hour, so a day trip works (Catalina Express).
8. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA
Martha's Vineyard is a classic New England island off Cape Cod. Visit the clay cliffs and Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah, the whaling-era houses of Edgartown and the colorful cottages of Oak Bluffs. Cycle between towns, then grab a lobster roll by the harbor.
- Best time: June to September. September is quieter and the water is still warm.
- Tip: you don't need a reservation to walk on the ferry from Woods Hole. Taking a car is different: check for space and book with the Steamship Authority well ahead in summer.
9. Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada
The Magdalen Islands (Îles de la Madeleine) sit in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, closer to PEI than to the rest of Quebec. Most of the islands are linked by long sand dunes. Expect red cliffs, sea caves to explore by kayak, steady wind for kitesurfing and a strong Acadian culture with music and seafood.
- Best time: July and August for beaches, September for wind sports.
- Tip: the CTMA ferry from Souris, PEI, takes about five hours to Cap-aux-Meules. Book early for summer (CTMA).
10. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a US territory in the Caribbean. Walk the colorful streets and Spanish forts of Old San Juan, hike in El Yunque National Forest and spend a day at Luquillo Beach, or take the ferry to Culebra for Flamenco Beach. At night, you can kayak on a bioluminescent bay.
- Best time: December to April, outside hurricane season.
- Tip: parking at El Yunque is limited and the Forest Service manages visitor numbers, so go early and check the trail status on the El Yunque National Forest site.
11. Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
Manitoulin Island, in Lake Huron, is the largest freshwater island in the world. It has inland lakes, waterfalls and trails like the Cup and Saucer, plus small villages. It's also home to several Anishinaabe communities: visit the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M'Chigeeng or time your trip for a summer powwow.
- Best time: June to September.
- Tip: in summer, the Chi-Cheemaun ferry links Tobermory with the island. It's seasonal, reservations for 2027 open in March. All year, you can also drive in over the swing bridge at Little Current (Owen Sound Transportation Company).
12. Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA
Kiawah Island is a quiet barrier island south of Charleston. It's known for its golf courses, a long beach, bike paths through maritime forest and marshland full of birds like herons and ospreys.
- Best time: April to June and September to October.
- Tip: most of the island is behind a gate. If you're not staying there, use Beachwalker County Park, the island's only public beach access (Town of Kiawah Island).
13. Key Largo, Florida, USA
Key Largo is the first island of the Florida Keys when you drive down from Miami. It's a diving and snorkeling base: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park protects coral reefs off the coast, and divers visit the Christ of the Deep statue and the Spiegel Grove wreck. From here you can keep driving south through the Keys to Key West.
- Best time: December to May for calm, dry days.
- Tip: Key Largo is about an hour's drive from Miami, so you can combine it with a city stay (Florida Keys tourism).
14. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island is home to Victoria, British Columbia's capital, with its harbor and gardens. Head west to Tofino and Ucluelet for surfing, rainforest walks and whale watching in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. In winter, storm watching on Long Beach is a big draw.
- Best time: June to September for hiking and whales, November to February for storm watching.
- Tip: if you bring a car from the mainland, book your BC Ferries crossing ahead. On the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route, BC Ferries currently asks drivers to book and pay in advance (BC Ferries).
15. Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel lies off Mexico's Caribbean coast, opposite Playa del Carmen. Its reefs, part of the Mesoamerican Reef, are protected in the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. Dive the walls of Palancar and Santa Rosa, snorkel at Chankanaab, then explore the wild east coast and Punta Sur park.
- Best time: December to April.
- Tip: passenger ferries from downtown Playa del Carmen take about 45 minutes and run throughout the day (Mexican Caribbean).
Which North American island is right for you?
- Warm beaches in winter: Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Key Largo, Oahu or the Island of Hawaii.
- Wild nature and wildlife: Newfoundland, Vancouver Island or the Island of Hawaii.
- A weekend from a big city: Santa Catalina from Los Angeles, Key Largo from Miami or Martha's Vineyard from Boston.
- Snorkeling and diving: Cozumel, Key Largo, Oahu or Santa Catalina.
- Quiet summer road trip: Prince Edward Island, the Magdalen Islands or Manitoulin Island.
- Golf and bike rides: Kiawah Island or Amelia Island.
Planning a longer trip? Our 14-day Canada itinerary connects well with PEI, Newfoundland and Vancouver Island. If you like island lists, see the best islands to visit in Europe too. Looking across the Pacific? See the best islands to visit in East Asia.
Staying connected on North America's islands
Ferry times, park reservations, maps and ride apps all need data. If you're visiting from abroad, roaming on islands can get expensive fast (see how to avoid roaming charges). A travel eSIM gives you local data from the moment you land, and you keep your own SIM for calls and texts.
- US islands, including Hawaii: Hawaii is a US state, so the USA eSIM works there too. Our cheapest USA eSIM guide helps you pick the size.
- Canadian islands: use the Canada eSIM (more in best eSIM for Canada).
- Cozumel: use the Mexico eSIM (see best eSIM for Mexico).
- Several countries on one trip: the North America eSIM covers the USA, Canada and Mexico on one plan.
- Puerto Rico: it isn't included in our USA or North America plans. Use the Puerto Rico eSIM, or the Caribbean eSIM if you're hopping to other Caribbean islands too.
All these plans are data only, with no phone number. Signal depends on the local networks, so remote coasts, ferries and parks on any island can have weak or no coverage. Download offline maps before you set off. New to eSIMs? Here's how to install an eSIM.
Visiting islands in more than one country, like Vancouver Island and Hawaii, or Key Largo and Cozumel? One North America plan covers the USA, Canada and Mexico, so you don't need to switch eSIMs at the border.
North America (USA, Canada, Mexico) · USA · Canada · Mexico · data only · See all North America eSIMs · Other islands? Find your destination
Heading to Puerto Rico? Our USA plans don't cover it, so it has its own eSIM with data on local networks.
FAQ
What are the best islands in North America to visit?
Our pick: Newfoundland, the Island of Hawaii, Prince Edward Island, Oahu, Miami Beach, Amelia Island, Santa Catalina, Martha's Vineyard, the Magdalen Islands, Puerto Rico, Manitoulin Island, Kiawah Island, Key Largo, Vancouver Island and Cozumel. Choose by season: the Caribbean and Hawaii in winter, Canada's islands in summer.
What islands are part of North America?
Geographically, North America includes the islands of Canada and the US, Mexico's islands, the Caribbean islands and Greenland. Greenland is the largest island in the world. It's part of North America geographically but belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. Canada's largest island is Baffin Island, the fifth largest in the world.
Is the Caribbean part of North America?
Geographically, yes: the Caribbean islands are usually counted as part of North America. Puerto Rico, a US territory, is the Caribbean island on this list. Cozumel is on Mexico's Caribbean coast.
Is Hawaii part of North America?
Politically, Hawaii is a US state. Geographically, it's a group of Pacific islands in Polynesia, far from the continent. Travel lists like this one usually include it with North America because you travel there as part of the US.
Is North America an island?
No. North America is a continent. It's joined to South America by the narrow Isthmus of Panama, so it isn't surrounded by water on all sides.
What is the largest freshwater island in the world?
Manitoulin Island, in Lake Huron, Ontario. You can reach it by ferry from Tobermory in summer or by road over the swing bridge at Little Current.
Which islands in America are best to visit in winter?
For warm weather from December to April, go to Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Key Largo or Hawaii. Canada's islands are best from June to September.
Will my phone work on these islands?
Yes, if your plan covers the country and there's a local signal. With an unlocked eSIM phone you can install a USA, Canada, Mexico, North America or Puerto Rico eSIM before you travel. Expect weaker coverage in remote areas.
